Ecan didn’t reply. He held the boy’s hand and kept his eyes locked with Rain Bear’s. He stopped five paces away and in a clear voice said, “Greetings, Chief. I enter your village openly to speak with you.” Then he glanced at Evening Star, the barest flicker of an eye betraying the cold fury burning within him.
People said Ecan had the soul of a weasel, and it was true. He had a handsome face with glistening, inhuman green eyes.
Rain Bear gave the man stare for stare. “Why are you here?”
“Matron Weedis has invited me to attend the Moon Ceremonial again this year. I have come as I have every year. But given the current unrest, I wanted to stop and ask your permission to pass in peace.”
“That is all you want?”
“I see you’ve captured my escaped slave.” Ecan turned fierce eyes on Evening Star. “What do I owe you for her return?”
“She has sanctuary here.” Rain Bear could sense the growing desperation in Evening Star.
Ecan’s smile didn’t extend to his eyes. “I will give fifteen pieces of dentalium as a token of my appreciation for her return.”
Evening Star’s fists balled; back stiff, she glared her hatred. Rain Bear placed a hand on her shoulder. The muscles beneath were like rock.
Ecan’s smirk grew as he added, “And I might be able to guarantee some extra rations—food for your people here, Great Chief. You know, something to tide your village over during these trying times.”
In a commanding voice, Rain Bear stated, “She has sanctuary.”
Ecan’s green eyes seemed to swirl with implied threat. “Think carefully about what you do here today, Rain Bear.”
“The subject is closed.” He inclined his head toward the menacing crowd. “Unless you want to test your luck, Starwatcher.”
Ecan, fully aware of the volatility, smiled knowingly. “I assure you, we will revisit this problem on another day.”
“Do you have any other business here?”
“Why? Did you hear I’d come to attack you?” He waved a hand at the small party that accompanied him. “With my five and ten warriors?”
His men, despite their half-panicked eyes, forced a laugh. To Rain Bear, it sounded staged, hollow.
The villagers pressed closer, hissing questions, their eyes daggers of hate. Talon was shifting from foot to foot, as if in his mind he was driving a long bone stiletto into Ecan’s whip-thin body.
Rain Bear glanced down at Pitch. His son-in-law, wounded and half dazed, had drawn his stiletto from his belt and held it out of sight against his belly. It would only take a gesture, a single wrong word, and this could degenerate into a massacre.
Rain Bear considered the little blind boy behind Ecan, wondering what kind of arrogant fool would lead a child into a mess like this. In a calm voice, he said, “I think you should leave, Starwatcher.”
Talon’s gruff old voice rose above the din. “Where are the rest of your warriors? Circling to hit us from behind? That’s the sort of sneaking cur thing you’d do, isn’t it?”
Ecan was either totally oblivious, or exercised incredible control as he answered, “They are on their way back to Fire Village with tribute. I am here on a peaceful journey. To attend to spiritual matters.” He gave Evening Star an oily smile. “No matter what you might have heard.”
Talon stepped forward, his stiletto up. “You murdering filth!”
Rain Bear reached out with a restraining hand, hissing, “Easy, old friend. This isn’t the time.” He met Talon’s eyes. “Trust me.”
Talon growled and stepped back, his upper lip twitching.
White Stone’s warriors were fingering their weapons, many damp with fear-sweat as they took the measure of the hostile crowd. Ecan’s expression did not change. “Circling to attack? Where did you hear that? From my slave? Ah, yes, the pitiful Evening Star. Are you telling them lies? In return for what? Hmm? Bedding Raven People to save your pretty neck?”
The look on Evening Star’s face was one of disgust and loathing. Rain Bear realized she was trembling, sensed the fraying of her rawhide control.
Talon gave her a slitted look, and Rain Bear said, “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play the fool with me, Rain Bear. The instant the news reached me that she was here, I was certain she would be filling you with stories about my wicked intentions.” He spread his arms. “That’s why I came. I wanted to assure you that I had no plans to attack your village. You fulfilled your obligations to Fire Village. Neither I, nor any of my people, wish you harm.”
“Lying slug!” Evening Star hissed.